In what was effectively a meaningless match a ten-man Brisbane Roar have managed to overcome Melbourne Heart 2-1 at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Melbourne Heart showed some incredible respect for the Roar as they gave the Premiers a guard of honor, celebrating the title won last week.

34 seconds in to the match Melbourne Heart thought they’d earned a penalty after Liam Miller hauled down Aziz Behich, but reversed the decision as he spotted the offside flag on Behich.

With Brisbane resting players after sealing the Premier’s Plate last weekend, Heart were starting to control the match in the early stages of the match.

12 minutes in and Heart should have had the lead after David Williams stole possession from Matt Smith and ran clean through on Michael Theo but sent his effort across the face of goal.

It was all Heart and Kisnorbo could have put them in front moments later as he headed a free-kick goalward but could only find the bar, before Williams’ shot from the resulting scramble went right at the keeper.

Two minutes later that lead did come as Massimo Murdocca ran forward and sent across the face for Mate Dugandzic who sent the ball back for Aziz Behich who lashed the ball home.

Despite Brisbane looking completely out of the match they managed to fashion an equalizer in the 36th minute as Thomas Broich showed his class, beating two defenders and then sending the ball in for Dimitri Petratos, who was able to send the ball to Smith who snuck the ball under Tando Velaphi for the equalizer.

In the closing stages of the half Velaphi very nearly gave Brisbane the equalizer, as he threw the ball right to Petratos, who played Besart Berisha clean through only for the Albanian to shoot right at the Heart keeper, keeping it 1-1 at the break.

Brisbane’s chances of winning the match took a hit shortly after the break after Berisha collided with Velaphi, but he went in to the challenge with his studs up, collecting Velaphi in the head, seeing Chris Beath issue a red card for Berisha, making him the first A-League player to receive three red cards in a season.

That made the second half a much less exciting affair than the first but Brisbane still continued to go on the attack, despite the numerical disadvantage.

Liam Miller very nearly found a winner for the hosts, as he was left unmarked at the far post, but sent his header over the bar.

But the Roar did not have to wait long as Henrique made up for his poor match last week curling in a wonderful strike to seal the three points.

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Chris Hockman is a passionate soccer fan, originally from Australia, Chris moved to the USA in early 2010. In Australia he worked for A-League club, Central Coast Mariners, one cup, one premiership, two grandfinals & an Asian Champions League campaign were particular highlights, along with working various Football Federation Australia events. Chris can be reached at chris@sanantoniosoccernews.com.